Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens has pledged to fight for better funding for the region.
She was speaking as the Avon and Somerset force was praised for the way it has balanced the need for savings with improving its performance.
In a report published last week, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Policing acknowledges that the force had saved more than half the total it needs to meet public sector cuts.
Ms Mountstevens said: "This is reassuring news for our communities. Despite the cuts, the police are maintaining the front line, with the proportion of crimefighting roles rising to 96 per cent, which is an impressive effort by the constabulary. It shows that we have taken a measured and long-term approach in balancing the budget."
But the commissioner, who presented her annual report to B&NES councillors last week, added: "HMIC's report reinforces the fact that residents continue to miss out on central government money for policing. We are continually being penalised, receiving less money against our need and are one of the worst-affected areas in the country. People should feel rightly aggrieved and this is something I will continue to lobby ministers on."